Golkar's executive board 'selected on merit'<\/p>\n
JAKARTA (JP): Golkar chairman Harmoko maintains that the
\nabsence of military-affiliated personnel from the newly named
\nfaction's executive board at the House of Representatives does
\nnot project a civilian-military dichotomy.<\/p>\n
In an interview with The Jakarta Post yesterday, Harmoko said
\nthe selection was based purely on merit.<\/p>\n
"Their selection is based on their achievement, dedication,
\ndiscipline and loyalty to our organization," he said.<\/p>\n
"As an organization we must have our own system and mechanism,
\notherwise we will remain weak and fragile," he added.<\/p>\n
Harmoko, who is also State Minister of Special Assignments,
\nasserted that there has never been a dichotomy between the Armed
\nForces (ABRI) and civilians in evaluating Golkar cadres.<\/p>\n
Harmoko announced on Tuesday the new lineup for Golkar's
\nexecutive board at the House.<\/p>\n
It will be led by veteran legislator Theo Sambuaga who will be
\nassisted by five deputies.<\/p>\n
For the first time under the New Order government the
\nfaction's executive board is free from military personnel with no
\nretired officers being selected.<\/p>\n
Harmoko brushed aside this fact, saying that once someone
\njoined Golkar he or she was equally treated regardless of their
\nmilitary or civilian background.<\/p>\n
Harmoko was elected as chairman in 1993. He is tipped to
\nreplace his predecessor Wahono to become speaker of the House.<\/p>\n
The former journalist is one of the longest-serving ministers
\nin the cabinet. He was appointed minister of information in 1983,
\nreplaced only by former Army chief Hartono in June.<\/p>\n
Harmoko, 58, was then appointed as state minister of special
\nassignments.<\/p>\n
He will be officially inducted into the House at the swearing-
\nin ceremony on Wednesday, leading the largest majority the
\nfaction has ever seen.<\/p>\n
Some have suggested that while the Golkar executive board at
\nthe House may be free from military retirees, some of those
\nchosen still hold some allegiance to military elements, such as
\ndeputy chairman Ery Sukardja and Danny Soedarsono who are both
\nmembers of the Communication Forum for the Offspring of Retired
\nArmed Forces Members (FKPPI).<\/p>\n
While he did not directly refer to this, Harmoko was
\napparently aware of the continuing presence of the kinship.<\/p>\n
"Theo is a civilian, but his father-in-law is Maj. Gen.
\nSoekardi," Harmoko noted.<\/p>\n
Speaking of the faction's executive board at the People's
\nConsultative Assembly (MPR), Harmoko said the criteria for
\nselection was exactly the same: merit.<\/p>\n
The 1,000-member Assembly will convene in March to select a
\npresident and vice president and draft the State Policy
\nGuidelines.<\/p>\n
Golkar will occupy 488 seats in MPR.<\/p>\n
Harmoko has picked retired vice marshal and State Minister of
\nNational Development Planning Ginandjar Kartasasmita as head of
\nthe faction's executive board at MPR.<\/p>\n
Also named as one of Ginandjar's six deputies is President
\nSoeharto's daughter Siti Hardiyanti Rukmana.<\/p>\n
"The choice of Ginandjar is based on his capability and long
\nexperience," Harmoko said.<\/p>\n
"Because we prioritize quality," he said of Golkar's
\nselections for executive board members. (prb)<\/p>",
"url": "https:\/\/jawawa.id\/newsitem\/golkars-executive-board-selected-on-merit-1447893297",
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